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Amirfarzan H, Cassidy KJ, Moaddab M, Demin M, Schumann R, Lewis B. Assessment of seizure duration and utility of using SedLine ® EEG tracing in veterans undergoing electroconvulsive therapy: a retrospective analysis. JOURNAL OF ANESTHESIA, ANALGESIA AND CRITICAL CARE 2024; 4:8. [PMID: 38321515 PMCID: PMC10845389 DOI: 10.1186/s44158-024-00143-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2023] [Accepted: 01/20/2024] [Indexed: 02/08/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) endures as a definitive treatment for refractory depression and catatonia and is also considered an effective treatment for a number of other severe psychiatric disorders (Lisanby, N Engl J Med 357:1939-1945, 2007)(Weiner and Prudic, Biol Psychiatry 73:105-106, 2013). GA is an essential component of the ECT procedure for various reasons (Lee, Jenkins and Sparkle, Life 11, 2021). Monitoring anesthetic effects on the brain is desirable as anesthetic agents affect seizure duration and recovery (Rasulo, Hopkins, Lobo, et al, Neurocrit Care 38:296-311, 2023) (Jones , Nittur , Fleming and Applegate, BMC Anesthesiol 21:105, 2021) (Soehle , Kayser , Ellerkmann and Schlaepfer, BJA 112:695-702, 2013). Perioperative anesthetic effects on consciousness can be assessed with brain function monitoring using raw electroencephalogram (EEG) traces and processed EEG indices. OBJECTIVE We examined the usefulness and utility of the SedLine® anesthetic effect monitor during ECT procedures. We hypothesized that the seizure duration as measured by the EEG tracing of the ECT machine is equivalent to the duration assessed by the SedLine® EEG tracing. A secondary objective was to describe the SedLine® patient state indices (PSI) at different phases of treatment. METHODS Following IRB approval, we analyzed the data of the electronic medical records of 45 ECT treatments of 23 patients in an urban VA medical center between July 01, 2021, and March 30, 2022. We compared the seizure duration in minutes and seconds as measured either by the ECT machine EEG tracing or the SedLine® EEG tracing. We then collected SedLine® processed EEG indices at four different stages during the treatment. Appropriate comparative and observational statistical analyses were applied. RESULTS There was no significant difference in measured seizure duration between the two methods examined (p < 0.05). We observed a lag of the SedLine PSI value at the time before stimulus delivery and limited PSI utility during the course of ECT. CONCLUSION The SedLine® EEG tracing can be an alternative to the machine EEG tracing for the determination of seizure duration. The SedLine® processed EEG indices are not consistently useful before and after ECT delivery. Anesthetic effect monitoring during ECT is feasible.
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Affiliation(s)
- Houman Amirfarzan
- Department of Anesthesia, Critical Care and Pain Medicine, VA Boston Healthcare System, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - Kaitlin Jane Cassidy
- Cooperative Studies Program Clinical Trials Coordinating Center, VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Mehrak Moaddab
- Department of Anesthesia, Critical Care and Pain Medicine, Tufts Medical Center, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Ma Demin
- Department of Psychiatry, VA Boston Healthcare System, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Roman Schumann
- Department of Anesthesia, Critical Care and Pain Medicine, VA Boston Healthcare System, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Bradford Lewis
- Department of Psychiatry, VA Boston Healthcare System, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
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Efird JT. The Inverse Log-Rank Test: A Versatile Procedure for Late Separating Survival Curves. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 20:7164. [PMID: 38131716 PMCID: PMC10743107 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20247164] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2023] [Revised: 11/23/2023] [Accepted: 12/06/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023]
Abstract
Often in the planning phase of a clinical trial, a researcher will need to choose between a standard versus weighted log-rank test (LRT) for investigating right-censored survival data. While a standard LRT is optimal for analyzing evenly distributed but distinct survival events (proportional hazards), an appropriately weighted LRT test may be better suited for handling non-proportional, delayed treatment effects. The "a priori" misspecification of this alternative may result in a substantial loss of power when determining the effectiveness of an experimental drug. In this paper, the standard unweighted and inverse log-rank tests (iLRTs) are compared with the multiple weight, default Max-Combo procedure for analyzing differential late survival outcomes. Unlike combination LRTs that depend on the arbitrary selection of weights, the iLRT by definition is a single weight test and does not require implicit multiplicity correction. Empirically, both weighted methods have reasonable flexibility for assessing continuous survival curve differences from the onset of a study. However, the iLRT may be preferable for accommodating delayed separating survival curves, especially when one arm finishes first. Using standard large-sample methods, the power and sample size for the iLRT are easily estimated without resorting to complex and timely simulations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jimmy T. Efird
- VA Cooperative Studies Program Coordinating Center, Boston, MA 02111, USA;
- School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
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Hau C, Efird JT, Leatherman SM, Soloviev OV, Glassman PA, Woods PA, Ishani A, Cushman WC, Ferguson RE. A Centralized EHR-Based Model for the Recruitment of Rural and Lower Socioeconomic Participants in Pragmatic Trials: A Secondary Analysis of the Diuretic Comparison Project. JAMA Netw Open 2023; 6:e2332049. [PMID: 37656456 PMCID: PMC10474559 DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2023.32049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2023] [Accepted: 07/18/2023] [Indexed: 09/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Importance Participant diversity is important for reducing study bias and increasing generalizability of comparative effectiveness research. Objective Demonstrate the operational efficiency of a centralized electronic health record (EHR)-based model for recruiting difficult-to-reach participants in a pragmatic trial. Design, Setting, and Participants This comparative effectiveness study was a secondary analysis of Diuretic Comparison Project, a randomized clinical trial conducted between 2016 and 2022 (mean [SD] follow-up, 2.4 [1.4] years) comparing 2 commonly prescribed antihypertensives, which used an EHR-based recruitment model. Electronic study workflows, in tandem with routine clinical practice, were adapted by 72 Veteran Affairs (VA) primary care networks. Data were analyzed from August to December 2022. Main Outcomes and Measures Measures reflecting recruitment capacity (monthly rate), operational efficiency (median time for completion of electronic procedures), and geographic reach (percentage of patients recruited from rural areas) were examined. Results A total of 13 523 patients with hypertension (mean [SD] age, 72 [5.4] years; 13 092 male [96.8%]) were recruited from 537 outpatient clinics. Approximately 205 patients were randomized per month and a median of 35 days (Q1-Q3, 23-80 days) was needed to complete electronic recruitment. The annual income was below the national median for 69% of the cohort. Patients from all 50 states, Puerto Rico, and the District of Columbia were included and 45% resided in rural areas. Conclusions and Relevance In this secondary analysis of a multicenter pragmatic trial, a centralized EHR-based recruitment model was associated with improved participation from underrepresented groups. These participants often are difficult to reach, with their exclusion potentially biasing trial results; eliminating in-person study visits and local site involvement can minimize barriers for the recruitment of patients from rural and lower socioeconomic areas. Trial Registration The Diuretic Comparison Project (DCP) was registered on ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02185417.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cynthia Hau
- VA Cooperative Studies Program Coordinating Center, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Jimmy T. Efird
- VA Cooperative Studies Program Coordinating Center, Boston, Massachusetts
- Department of Radiation Oncology, School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio
| | - Sarah M. Leatherman
- VA Cooperative Studies Program Coordinating Center, Boston, Massachusetts
- Department of Biostatistics, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Oleg V. Soloviev
- VA Cooperative Studies Program Coordinating Center, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Peter A. Glassman
- Pharmacy Benefits Management Services, Department of Veterans Affairs, Washington DC
- VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System, Los Angeles, California
- David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, California
| | - Patricia A. Woods
- VA Cooperative Studies Program Coordinating Center, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Areef Ishani
- Minneapolis VA Healthcare System, Minneapolis, Minnesota
- Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis
| | - William C. Cushman
- Medical Service, Memphis VA Medical Center, Memphis, Tennessee
- Department of Preventive Medicine, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis
| | - Ryan E. Ferguson
- VA Cooperative Studies Program Coordinating Center, Boston, Massachusetts
- Department of Medicine, Boston University Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts
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Abel WM, Efird JT, Crane PB, Ferdinand KC. Self-management program and Black women with hypertension: Randomized controlled trial substudy. Res Nurs Health 2023; 46:336-347. [PMID: 36789452 PMCID: PMC10148903 DOI: 10.1002/nur.22301] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2022] [Revised: 01/25/2023] [Accepted: 02/01/2023] [Indexed: 02/16/2023]
Abstract
The prevalence of hypertension (HTN) among Black women in the United States has increased over the past 10 years with a decline in levels of HTN awareness, treatment, and control. Higher death rates occur in Black women from HTN-related diseases when compared with women of other racial/ethnic groups. Although interventions aimed at self-care/self-management are vital to adults becoming the cornerstone of their own health and well-being, there is a paucity of research in Black women. This randomized controlled pilot trial substudy examined the influence of a Chronic Disease Self-Management Program (CDSMP) with tailored coaching versus the CDSMP alone on blood pressure (BP), weight, and scores on self-care questionnaires and medication adherence for Black women with HTN over 9 months. Eighty-three women who had completed the CDSMP were randomly assigned to coaching or no coaching. Median age was 54 years and the time since the HTN diagnosis was 9 years. Significant differences were noted in self-care maintenance and management over time with better self-care in the treatment group. Though not significant, both groups denoted a trend toward better medication adherence. Almost 60% of the participants in both groups showed improvements in their systolic and/or diastolic BP. However, there was no significant difference between the study groups' BP and weight variables. The CDSMP was effective in decreasing BP and improving medication adherence. Further research is needed to evaluate effective coaching strategies that motivate Black women with HTN toward self-care management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Willie M. Abel
- School of Nursing, The University of North Carolina, Charlotte, NC
| | - Jimmy T. Efird
- School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH
- VA Cooperative Studies Program Coordinating Center, Boston, MA; School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH
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Abel WM, Efird JT, Crane PB, Ferdinand KC, Foy CG, DeHaven MJ. Use of coaching and technology to improve blood pressure control in Black women with hypertension: Pilot randomized controlled trial study. J Clin Hypertens (Greenwich) 2022; 25:95-105. [PMID: 36537265 PMCID: PMC9832234 DOI: 10.1111/jch.14617] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2022] [Revised: 11/30/2022] [Accepted: 12/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Hypertension is the main cause of cardiovascular disease, especially in women. Black women (58%) are affected by higher rates of hypertension than other racial/ethnic groups contributing to increased cardio-metabolic disorders. To decrease blood pressure (BP) in this population, a pilot randomized controlled trial was conducted to examine the effects of Interactive Technology Enhanced Coaching (ITEC) versus Interactive Technology (IT) alone in achieving BP control, adherence to antihypertensive medication, and adherence to lifestyle modifications among Black women diagnosed with and receiving medication for their hypertension. Participants completed a 6-week Chronic Disease Self-Management Program (CDSMP), and 83 participants were randomly assigned to ITEC versus IT. Participants were trained to use three wireless tools and five apps that were synchronized to smartphones to monitor BP, weight, physical activity (steps), diet (caloric and sodium intake), and medication adherence. Fitbit Plus, a cloud-based collaborative care platform was used to collect, track, and store data. Using a mixed-effects repeated measures model, the main effect of group means indicated no significant difference between the treatment and referent groups on study variables. The main effect of time indicated significant differences between repeated measures for systolic BP (p < .0001), weight (p < .0001), and steps (p = .018). An interaction effect revealed differences over time and was significant for study measures except diastolic BP. An important goal of this preliminary analysis is to help Black women prioritize self-care management in their everyday environment. Future research is warranted in a geographically broader population of hypertensive Black women.
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Affiliation(s)
- Willie M. Abel
- School of NursingThe University of North Carolina at CharlotteCharlotteNorth CarolinaUSA
| | - Jimmy T. Efird
- School of MedicineCase Western Reserve UniversityClevelandOhioUSA,VA Cooperative Studies Program Coordinating CenterBostonMassachusettsUSA
| | - Patricia B. Crane
- School of NursingThe University of North Carolina at CharlotteCharlotteNorth CarolinaUSA
| | | | - Capri G. Foy
- Division of Public Health Sciences, Department of Social Sciences and Health PolicyWake Forest School of MedicineWinston‐SalemNorth CarolinaUSA
| | - Mark J. DeHaven
- Department of Public Health SciencesThe University of North Carolina at CharlotteCharlotteNorth CarolinaUSA
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Medications Associated with Lower Mortality in a SARS-CoV-2 Positive Cohort of 26,508 Veterans. J Gen Intern Med 2022; 37:4144-4152. [PMID: 35768681 PMCID: PMC9243908 DOI: 10.1007/s11606-022-07701-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2021] [Accepted: 06/15/2022] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Many severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) positive patients take commonly prescribed medications with properties which may affect mortality. OBJECTIVE Assess if common medications postulated to affect clinical outcomes are associated with mortality in SARS-CoV-2 positive patients in the Veterans Health Administration (VHA). DESIGN Observational national cohort analysis. PARTICIPANTS Consecutive 26,508 SARS-CoV-2 positive Veterans (7% of 399,290 tested from March 1 to September 10, 2020) constitute the study cohort. MAIN MEASURES The primary outcome was 30-day mortality from the first positive SARS-CoV-2 test date. In patients receiving medications or drug pairs within 2 weeks post-SARS-CoV-2 positive test, 30-day mortality was estimated as relative risk (RR) on the log-binomial scale or using multinomial models with and without adjusting for covariates. KEY RESULTS The 26,508 SARS-CoV-2 positive patients were predominantly male (89%) and White (59%), and 82% were overweight/obese. Medications associated with decreased 30-day mortality risk included the following: metformin (aRR, 0.33; 95% CI, 0.25-0.43), colchicine, angiotensin-converting-enzyme inhibitors (ACEi), angiotensin II receptor blockers, statins, vitamin D, antihistamines, alpha-blockers, anti-androgens, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (aRR, 0.69; 95% CI, 0.61-0.78). The effect of co-prescribed medications on 30-day mortality risk revealed the lowest risk for combined statins and metformin (aRR, 0.21; 95% CI, 0.15-0.31), followed by ACEi and statins (aRR, 0.25; 95% CI, 0.18-0.35), ACEi and metformin (aRR, 0.26; 95% CI, 0.17-0.40), antihistamines and NSAIDs (aRR, 0.41; 95% CI, 0.32-0.52), and in men, combined alpha-blockers and anti-androgens (aRR, 0.51; 95% CI, 0.42-0.64). CONCLUSIONS In this large national cohort, treatment of SARS-CoV-2 positive patients with individual or co-prescribed metformin and statins, ACEi and statins (or metformin) and other medications was associated with a markedly decreased 30-day mortality and can likely be continued safely. Clinical trials may assess their therapeutic benefit.
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Efird JT, Anderson EJ, Jindal C, Redding TS, Thompson AD, Press AM, Upchurch J, Williams CD, Choi YM, Suzuki A. The Interaction of Vitamin D and Corticosteroids: A Mortality Analysis of 26,508 Veterans Who Tested Positive for SARS-CoV-2. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 19:447. [PMID: 35010701 PMCID: PMC8744830 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19010447] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2021] [Revised: 12/21/2021] [Accepted: 12/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
This data-based cohort consisted of 26,508 (7%) United States veterans out of the 399,290 who tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 from 1 March to 10 September 2020. We aimed to assess the interaction of post-index vitamin D (Vit D) and corticosteroid (CRT) use on 30-day mortality among hospitalized and non-hospitalized patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Combination Vit D and CRT drug use was assessed according to four multinomial pairs (-|+, -|-, +|+, +|-). Respective categorical effects were computed on a log-binomial scale as adjusted relative risk (aRR). Approximately 6% of veterans who tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 died within 30 days of their index date. Among hospitalized patients, a significantly decreased aRR was observed for the use of Vit D in the absence of CRTs relative to patients who received CRTs but not Vit D (aRR = 0.30; multiplicity corrected, p = 0.0004). Among patients receiving systemically administered CRTs (e.g., dexamethasone), the use of Vit D was associated with fewer deaths in hospitalized patients (aRR = 0.51) compared with non-hospitalized patients (aRR = 2.5) (P-for-Interaction = 0.0071). Evaluating the effect of modification of these compounds in the context of hospitalization may aid in the management of COVID-19 and provide a better understanding of the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying this and future infectious disease outbreaks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jimmy T. Efird
- Cooperative Studies Program Epidemiology Center, Durham VA Health Care System, Durham, NC 27705, USA; (T.S.R.); (A.D.T.); (A.M.P.); (J.U.); (C.D.W.); (A.S.)
| | | | - Charulata Jindal
- Harvard Medical School, Harvard University, Boston, MA 02115, USA;
| | - Thomas S. Redding
- Cooperative Studies Program Epidemiology Center, Durham VA Health Care System, Durham, NC 27705, USA; (T.S.R.); (A.D.T.); (A.M.P.); (J.U.); (C.D.W.); (A.S.)
| | - Andrew D. Thompson
- Cooperative Studies Program Epidemiology Center, Durham VA Health Care System, Durham, NC 27705, USA; (T.S.R.); (A.D.T.); (A.M.P.); (J.U.); (C.D.W.); (A.S.)
| | - Ashlyn M. Press
- Cooperative Studies Program Epidemiology Center, Durham VA Health Care System, Durham, NC 27705, USA; (T.S.R.); (A.D.T.); (A.M.P.); (J.U.); (C.D.W.); (A.S.)
| | - Julie Upchurch
- Cooperative Studies Program Epidemiology Center, Durham VA Health Care System, Durham, NC 27705, USA; (T.S.R.); (A.D.T.); (A.M.P.); (J.U.); (C.D.W.); (A.S.)
| | - Christina D. Williams
- Cooperative Studies Program Epidemiology Center, Durham VA Health Care System, Durham, NC 27705, USA; (T.S.R.); (A.D.T.); (A.M.P.); (J.U.); (C.D.W.); (A.S.)
- Department of Medicine, Duke University, Durham, NC 27710, USA
- Duke Cancer Institute, Duke University, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | | | - Ayako Suzuki
- Cooperative Studies Program Epidemiology Center, Durham VA Health Care System, Durham, NC 27705, USA; (T.S.R.); (A.D.T.); (A.M.P.); (J.U.); (C.D.W.); (A.S.)
- Division of Gastroenterology, Duke University, Durham, NC 27710, USA
- The Division of Gastroenterology, Durham VA Medical Center, Durham, NC 27705, USA
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Biswas T, Gawdi R, Jindal C, Iyer S, Kang KH, Bajor D, Machtay M, Choi YM, Efird JT. Pretreatment neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio as an important prognostic marker in stage III locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer: confirmatory results from the PROCLAIM phase III clinical trial. J Thorac Dis 2021; 13:5617-5626. [PMID: 34795912 PMCID: PMC8575807 DOI: 10.21037/jtd-21-1018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2021] [Accepted: 09/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Background Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) is an important pretreatment marker of systemic inflammation and tumor aggressiveness. Increased levels of this ratio have been associated with reduced survival in several observational studies of lung cancer. However, supporting analyses from large clinical trial data are lacking. Methods To validate the prognostic role of NLR, the current study evaluated data from a randomized phase III study (PROCLAIM; clinicaltrial.gov ID: NCT00686959) of patients with stage IIIA/B, unresectable, non-squamous, non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), originally comparing combination pemetrexed-cisplatin chemoradiotherapy with etoposide-cisplatin chemoradiotherapy. Adjusted hazard ratios (aHR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for survival were estimated using a Cox proportional hazards model. Models were adjusted for age, race, sex, stage, treatment, and body mass index (BMI). Patients were followed for a median of 24 months. Results Increased NLR levels at baseline were associated with reduced overall (PTrend <0.0001) and progression-free survival (PTrend <0.005). A similar but decreasing linear trend was not observed for lymphocytes count alone. Conclusions These findings provide substantiating evidence that NLR, which is routinely available from standard blood testing of patients diagnosed with NSCLC, is an important inflammation-based prognostic marker for survival among patients with locally advanced disease undergoing chemoradiation. Future research will benefit by assessing the prognostic potential of NLR in the context of genetic mutations and molecular markers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tithi Biswas
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University Hospitals, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Rohin Gawdi
- Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA
| | | | - Sharanya Iyer
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University Hospitals, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Kylie H Kang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Washington University School of Medicine and Alvin J. Siteman Comprehensive Cancer Center, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - David Bajor
- Medical Oncology, Seidman Cancer Center, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Mitchell Machtay
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Penn State University, Hershey, PA, USA
| | | | - Jimmy T Efird
- Cooperative Studies Program Epidemiology Center, Health Services Research and Development, DVAHCS, Durham, NC, USA
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COVID-19-Associated Mortality in US Veterans with and without SARS-CoV-2 Infection. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:ijerph18168486. [PMID: 34444232 PMCID: PMC8394601 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18168486] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2021] [Revised: 08/02/2021] [Accepted: 08/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Background: We performed an observational Veterans Health Administration cohort analysis to assess how risk factors affect 30-day mortality in SARS-CoV-2-infected subjects relative to those uninfected. While the risk factors for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) have been extensively studied, these have been seldom compared with uninfected referents. Methods: We analyzed 341,166 White/Black male veterans tested for SARS-CoV-2 from March 1 to September 10, 2020. The relative risk of 30-day mortality was computed for age, race, ethnicity, BMI, smoking status, and alcohol use disorder in infected and uninfected subjects separately. The difference in relative risk was then evaluated between infected and uninfected subjects. All the analyses were performed considering clinical confounders. Results: In this cohort, 7% were SARS-CoV-2-positive. Age >60 and overweight/obesity were associated with a dose-related increased mortality risk among infected patients relative to those uninfected. In contrast, relative to never smoking, current smoking was associated with a decreased mortality among infected and an increased mortality in uninfected, yielding a reduced mortality risk among infected relative to uninfected. Alcohol use disorder was also associated with decreased mortality risk in infected relative to the uninfected. Conclusions: Age, BMI, smoking, and alcohol use disorder affect 30-day mortality in SARS-CoV-2-infected subjects differently from uninfected referents. Advanced age and overweight/obesity were associated with increased mortality risk among infected men, while current smoking and alcohol use disorder were associated with lower mortality risk among infected men, when compared with those uninfected.
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